Jersey Boys onstage

Hubby surprised me with the chance to sit with a few hundred other gray-haired fans at the Wellington Opera House to watch the stage musical Jersey Boys over the weekend!

What a wonderful performance by all and, of course, the music was magical!!

I am copying an article from 'aucklandlive.co.nz' to tell you about the cast (in case the article disappears). 

They were ALL really talented and the audience seemed to enjoy ever minute of the performance. You sure couldn't tell that all but 'Frankie Valli' were New Zealanders! I can't praise them enough for their work. If you get the chance (and are 'of a certain age), you should see this show.

Producers of JERSEY BOYS – THE STORY OF FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS are delighted to announce they have secured one of the world’s best musical theatre artists to perform the role of Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical’s seasons in Auckland and Wellington, from May.

 

Hayden Milanés, who has travelled internationally playing Frankie Valli in Broadway’s hit musical JERSEY BOYS, arrived in New Zealand from New York last week and will join an outstanding New Zealand-based cast.

To land the role of Frankie, the actor needed to be 5’9” (175cm) or shorter, have a strong tenor with sweet and strong falsetto, and be able to sing in the style of Frankie Valli: strong tenor to high A or B plus strong falsetto up to treble G; be charismatic and charming; a very strong actor (comfortable with narrative text) and have a gritty side as well as a polished veneer, and must be comfortable with traditional four-part harmonies.

Director Grant Meese explains that no stone was unturned to find a Frankie in New Zealand. “We went out to all New Zealand agents and held open auditions in Christchurch and Auckland but were unable to find someone with all these special attributes.

“As the role is unique in the world of musical theatre, we decided we’d go after the best in the world,” says Mr. Meese. “With Broadway and the West End remaining closed, and New Zealand being one of only a few countries in the world where people can enjoy live performance, Hayden said yes.

“We then had to apply to have him come into the country. All the correct processes were followed and we were given the green light. I guess you could say that all our stars aligned.”

Mr. Milanés joins an exceptional New Zealand-based cast that includes one of New Zealand’s finest theatre and television actors, Andrew Grainger, as gangster Gyp DeCarlo. A veteran of the West End, film, and television, Andy’s New Zealand theatre credits include Chicago, Billy Elliott, Guys and Dolls, and Six Degrees of Separation. Full bio here.

Tauranga-born Matt Cranleigh plays singer and songwriter Bob Gaudio. A graduate of the prestigious NIDA performing arts school in Sydney, Matt spent six years working in film and television in Australia and the UK,  including Dance Academy (ABC Australia), Home & Away (Channel 7 Australia), and The Great Gatsby (Warner Brothers). Following time in London, Matt’s career found its way back to its roots in musical theatre as he worked in Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore with Disney and Universal.

Reprising his role as the reckless gambler Tommy DeVito is Fergus Inder (Chicago; Titus Andronicus; Jesus Christ Superstar; The Wind in the Willows, A Streetcar Named Desire, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert; Wicked; and Les Misérables).

Andrew Coshan will play Nick Massi – the vocalist credited with training Frankie but ultimately leaving the group after tiring of their internal battles and flatting with Tommy.

A graduate of Otago University, Andrew has spent much of his professional career in Melbourne, receiving a Greenroom Award nomination for best performance in a supporting role, and then his professional musical theatre debut in the ensemble of The Production Company’s Thoroughly Modern Millie. Recently, Andrew made an appearance in Neighbors as River Hannlon. Andrew’s top New Zealand-based credits include Hairspray as Link Larkin, Mamma Mia as Pepper, PUNKROCK as Nicholas Chatman, Les Miserables, and The Phantom of the Opera.

Russell Dixon plays record producer Bob Crewe. Having recently directed the sold-out season of Mary Poppins at The Civic in Auckland, Russell’s credits include Wicked, Blood Brothers, Mamma Mia!, Miss Saigon, and Holiday Inn; Top Hat at London’s Aldwych Theatre,  and a cast member of in the UK tour of The Witches of Eastwick, playing the role of Joe Marino.

Playing radio personality Barry Belson is Lewis Francis, last seen on The Civic stage in The Book of Mormon.

After being on the Australasian tour of The Book of Mormon for nearly two and a half years, Barry is thrilled to be performing again in  NZ. While completing his Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland (majoring in Marketing and Commercial Law), he trained extensively with Frances Wilson Fitzgerald at the Auckland Opera Studio. He was then successful in joining the NZ Opera Freemasons chorus from 2015 – 2017. In 2015 Lewis won the President’s Cup for Most Promising Vocal artist at the North Shore Singing Competition, and also won the John Bond Award at NZ Aria in 2016, for most promising vocal artist.

https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/jersey-boys-us-star-to-play-frankie-valli